Foodservice provider Sodexo has partnered with Topanga to promote sustainability at ten college campuses in the US.

Topanga transforms kitchen operations with AI-driven solutions that help culinary teams reduce waste and increase savings.

The collaboration will see the implementation of ReusePass, a reusable to-go programme, leveraging track-and-trace technology to reduce plastic usage in campus cafeterias operated by the foodservice provider.

It aims to measure environmental impact, monitor participation rates and track the progress of reducing plastic waste.

The ReusePass programme by Topanga is set to provide a seamless experience for students while delivering measurable sustainability benefits.

Topanga founder and CEO Page Schult said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Sodexo, a leader in both foodservice and sustainable practices for colleges and universities nationwide.

“It’s a privilege to support Sodexo and its campus partners, and enhance their sustainability efforts by deploying effective, proven solutions, as demonstrated by our successful work with Sodexo at Saint Mary’s College of California.”

At Saint Mary’s, the ReusePass programme has already been introduced with significant results.

The college has seen a 97% return rate for reusable containers, with each reused an average of 11 times.

The initiative aligns with the college's commitment to sustainability, encouraging students to reconsider their use of single-use items.

The programme is set to be used at SUNY New Paltz in New York, the University of Maine in Orono, the University of Vermont in Burlington, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro.

Other Sodexo campuses that are currently using Topanga’s ReusePass or set for its implementation in the autumn of 2024 include Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Lehigh University in Pennsylvania and George Mason University in Virginia.

Sodexo campus sustainability and corporate social responsibility director Kate Shearer said: “We are fully committed to advancing sustainability on campus and our partners must share this common goal in supporting Sodexo and the clients we serve.

“Through our collaboration with Topanga, we aim to ignite transformative changes by promoting small actions, such as transitioning to reusable containers, that will drive significant impacts over time.”

The latest news comes after Sodexo introduced the 513 Culinary Group, a US campus dining venture, in partnership with the University of Cincinnati, in May 2024.